Eurozone
Banks upped exposure to troubled eurozone states in first quarter: BIS
Bank for International Settlements says first quarter figures show exposure to Portugal, Greece and Spain grew, in spite of default worries
High public debt will choke long-term growth: ECB
European Central Bank paper finds debt to GDP ratio of 70% enough to drag growth down
Eurozone lending gathers steam: ECB
European Central Bank figures show growth of bank lending in single currency area increased in July; data follow signs of pickup in loan demand
Payments providers split over Sepa end dates
Comments released by the European Commission show that European institutions and banking associations disagree over Sepa proposals to seperate end dates
ECB closes in on inferior collateral with new haircut scheme
European Central Bank’s new discount schedule increases haircuts levied on troublesome collateral, such as asset-backed securities; analysts expect move to discourage pledging of risky assets
Eurozone banks tighten standards as loan demand grows
European Central Bank’s second quarter lending survey shows banks toughening standards for borrowers, reflecting unease from sovereign debt crisis spillover; demand, meanwhile, increases
ECB will always end up bailing out sovereigns: Buiter
Former Bank of England rate-setter Willem Buiter says ECB will lose in “game of chicken” with finance ministries over who rescues sovereigns
Central Bank of Ireland – Payment and Securities Settlements System Infrastructure Report (July 2010)
Irish central bank’s report on payments and settlements shows country is behind Europe in transition to electronic payments systems
Euro counterfeits fall by 13%
ECB statistics show 387,000 forged euro banknotes recovered in first half of 2010; €50 note overtakes €20 as most popular bill to fake
ECB's Bini Smaghi: Europe must regain competitive edge
ECB executive board member Lorenzo Bini Smaghi says even surplus countries in eurozone must improve competitiveness
South Africa’s Gordhan stands up for inflation targeting, flexible rand policies
South African finance minister defends central bank’s key frameworks, lauding benefits to credibility and stability
Four risks to growth: Atlanta Fed’s Lockhart
Atlanta Federal Reserve president Dennis Lockhart counts Gulf of Mexico oil spill and commercial real estate sector risks among imminent threats to growth
Azerbaijan to move to DSGE model
National Bank of Azerbaijan will switch to consolidated DSGE framework by year-end; deputy research director says model valued for overall coherence and ability to factor in irrational behaviour
ECB handled Greek crisis well: CentralBanking.com readers
CentralBanking.com poll shows more than 40% approval rating for European Central Bank’s handling of the Greek debt crisis
Eurozone crisis won’t cripple Israel: Fischer
Bank of Israel governor Stanley Fischer says eurozone debt crisis and growth slowdown haven’t changed domestic outlook significantly; cites gains to be made from developing clean technology sector
National Bank of Slovakia – Annual Report (2009)
Slovakian central bank’s annual report details benefits of entering currency union and documents smooth transition into new monetary policy and payments systems
Eurozone crisis threatens Canadian financial stability
Bank of Canada links deterioration of risks surrounding global imbalances and the growth outlook to single currency zone’s sovereign debt crisis
Spanish banks’ reliance on ECB hits record levels
Data published by Spain’s central bank shows the country’s banks exhibiting an increasing level of dependence on the eurosystem, officials dismiss talk of bailout
Markets unfazed by Moody’s Greek walloping
Bulk of European bourses gain despite rating agency’s four notch downgrade of Greek sovereign debt; analysts link calm to tardiness of downgrade and renewed risk appetite
Low savings widened Southern Europe's fiscal gap: IMF paper
Fund study finds lack of savings in Southern European countries caused large current account deficits to form in the run-up to the global financial crisis
Wellink says Basel III to be phased in gradually in bid to soothe fears
Basel Committee chairman Nout Wellink says proposals on new regulations on banking will be introduced in an orderly manner; unrepentant on costs to growth
Market tensions prevail, Trichet warns
ECB president says financial sector still shows signs of stress despite the success of the central bank’s bond purchase program
RBA's Stevens warns of high indebtedness in households sector
Reserve Bank of Australia governor Glenn Stevens discusses lessons from Europe's debt crisis
Europe raring to go on CDS rules, bank taxes
Brussels praises the political dynamic behind move for tightened financial regulation as French president Nicolas Sarkozy and German chancellor Angela Merkel call on Commission to speed up work